BB producers in smoking ban probe

Big Brother producers received a visit from environmental health officers - to ensure that housemates were complying with the new smoking ban.

Officers arrived unannounced at the Elstree Studios in Herts and took time to check the relevant sections of the Big Brother rule book, which states that contestants can only smoke on a designated bench in the garden. They also watched footage of the house's smokers, and spoke to producers about whether housemates were following the law.

A spokeswoman for Hertsmere Council told the Daily Star: "A spot check was carried out at Elstree TV studios to make sure the new smoking laws are complied with. The officers were shown the gallery, where they could view the live footage. They were happy the new laws were being complied with."